Founded May 5 1949 with the Treaty of

Founded May 5, 1949 with the Treaty of London, now the Council has 47 member States.

In 2014, the Committee has focused on democracy, dialogue and the protection of human rights in the development of the lands and societies of Europe and in the Mediterranean.

It has taken into account human rights in the migration of people and the consequences of climate challenges. These rights are now being considered by several Member States of the Council of Europe and by the United Nations.

Its advocacy on participation has been expressed through eight commitments:

5. participation in the work of the CDGG (Thierry MATHIEU) and the continuation of the production of a Code of good practice for the participation of civil society in the decisionmaking processes for elected officials, established by the Congress of local authorities in connection with the Conference of INGOS

6. contribution to the World Forum For Democracy, for the 2014 session, the proposal of speakers and moderation of a workshop as well as the participation in the Steering Committee for future events (Israel MENSAH)

7. participation in the European week of local democracy 8. The commission has supported and strongly encouraged the development of pioneering laws at global level.

Proposal of Anje WIERSINGA, head of the ad hoc working group, the commission has supported the approach of Zeynab Hibaaq OSMAN, founder and Director of KARAMA, an NGO present in North Africa and the Middle East, formed of men and women, of various denominations and lay people -

came to ask the support of the NGOs of the Council of Europe on the one hand against gender-based violence used as a political weapon in conflicts or periods of democratic transition, and on the other hand against the sidelining of women in the process of reconciliation policy.